Nan Chang (南昌)

The long anticipated one-week holiday break, China’s National Day (PRC), provided me with the opportunity to meet up and travel with my Nanjing church friend, 徐天成 (John Xu), he was kind enough to invite me to visit his home city at 都昌, but beforehand, we traveled to neighbouring cities along the way. As I got out of the Nanchang airport, it was great to see a familiar face in the masses of black heads. The weather was perfect, sunny with clear skies, yet the temperature was still cool and the humidity was just right. Also, I got a chance to take pictures and video shots with my Samsung Note 5; the experience and the results were spectacular. I am so glad I purchased this smartphone prior to National Day.

-Nanchang, Capital of Jiangxi, denoting“a prosperous south part of China”, which clearly reveals the agricultural prosperity of the place. It was not just China’s communist birthplace but being almost 2200 years old it still captures the remnants of the Tang and Song dynasties which ruled from here.

-Built as early as 201 B.C. The city gained stature and significance during the Tang and Song dynasties. In history Nanchang is most famous, or in some cases infamous, as the birthplace of one of history’s most significant landmarks, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army”

Teng Wang Pavillion

Built in 654 A.D. By Tengwang of the Tang dynasty its tryst with men of letters began when the eminent poet called Wang Bo inscribed the “Essay on Tengwang Pavilion” on its pillars. It faced its highest tragedy at the hands of fire which broke out here in 1926 during the war between the Northern warlords. Rebuilt in 1989 the modern structure has become even more splendid. Today eminent works of significant men of letters embellish the columns of the pavilion.

(Rope and Gold Pagoda) stands on the east side of Shengjinta Street, Nanchang, which was built in late Tang Dynasty (A.D. 904-907). It is said that centuries ago, a monk found a iron box buried in the ground by accident, which contained 4 sets of golden ropes, 3 ancient swords and a golden vase full of Buddha’s relics. Thus the tower, which was built on the very place years later, hence the name.

Since it was National Day week in China, the streets were flooded with rows upon rows of cars stretching as far as the eye can see, in between, motorcycles and people filled the crevices as everyone was trying to bustle to their next destination. In this chaotic setting, my friend and I rushed for our 20:40 train, we had 40 mins to get there. First, we took a taxi, but we weren’t moving so we got off and traveled to the train station on foot for a short instance (luckily the train station was only 2000 meters from our current destination at the time); lastly, we took another taxi to make the last distance to the train station. Upon arrival, well this is what happened:

Final Thoughts

Extremely thankful I had the chance to visit a friend and explore cities and local historical sites and monuments in his home province. If the opportunity arises again, this is a trip I am willing to embark on once again.

*Majority of contents are derived from the sources provided in the hyperlinks. Thus, the credit goes to the original authors of those links.